On a recent rainy, foggy morning while driving into work at 5:30 AM, I noticed the light from our greenhouses reflecting off the heavy moisture in the air. it was a very beautiful sight. I decided to hike out in the pre-dawn darkness to the lily greenhouse to see what it looked like up close. The farm can be a little spooky this time of night, a stray cat or bold raccoon, can put your senses on high alert.
I found rows of Oriental lilies all bathed in a warm orange, reddish light. Weirdly serene, with the quiet buzz of the filaments echoing through the greenhouse.
When I got back to the office I decided to check in with our head grower, Tim Crockenburg, for an explanation of our lighting system.
Our Orientals and OT Hybrids need a solid 16 hours of light a day. As the days get shorter, our lights compensate for the lack of daylight. They are actually on timers that adjust to the sunrise and sunset, so the lilies get the light they need, and we don't waste electricity.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Sun Valley Group's Flower Talk
